Animlistic painting  with hares in the forest was executed in the first half of 19th century and despite the lack of a signature, it is completely identical to the animalistic paintings by the German animal artist , etcher and lithographer  August Schleich ( 1814 Munich - 1865 Munich), called  “Schleichgustl” by friends. For comparison see our additional images. He was the son of the engraver and inspector of the topographical bureau Johann Karl Schleich (1759–1842) and brother of the engravers Karl Schleich (1788–1840) and Adrian Schleich (1812–1894).

August Schleich studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. While there, he devoted himself almost exclusively to animal painting.

Besides oil paintings August Schleich invented "smoke painting." On a layer of soot produced by a candle flame on a plate or sheet of paper, highlights were revealed by scraping, a technique similar to mezzotint. The finished image was then sealed with a layer of varnish. This process was also imitated by the Munich animal painter Eugen von Kramer. August Schleich also created etchings and lithographs.

Schleich also experimented with galvanography, invented by Franz von Kobell in 1842.

Literature: lexicons by Thieme/Becker; Georg Caspar Nagler; on-line Wikipedia.

Inscriptions: unsigned, on the back of the panel : missattribution of previous owner.

Technique: oil on wood panel, antique gilt  frame.

Measurements: unframed w 9 3/4" x h 7 1/2"( 25 x 19 cm),  framed 15 1/8" x 12 3/4" (38,5 x 32,5 cm).

Condition: in good condition, wooden panel is slightly curved.